How to Save Money on Groceries

I remember a day when a 2 Liter of Pepsi was 99 cents, and you could get a gallon of milk for just a buck or two. These days, prices haven’t just increase, they’ve increased big time.

So it comes as no surprise that a family once able to stock the fridge and cabinets with food might now be struggling just to keep a few shelves full. The average family now pays over $1,000 for groceries per month, and it seems like costs are only continuing to rise.

So today, to help you fix that dent in your wallet and keep the fridge full of not junk, but healthy food, we’re going to talk about how to save money on groceries without going on a starvation diet.

Coupons
You might have seen the new show that’s all the rage lately – Extreme Couponing, which presents case studies and personal stories of renegade shoppers that have become so good at using coupons that they often walk out of the grocery paying less than 1% of retail cost.

Now, I don’t expect you to become a crazy couponer, but just using coupons period will show you how to save money on groceries instantly. Start getting the Sunday paper, and clip coupons. Also, keep the circulars and browse them for good deals. It’s instant cash back in your wallet.

Buying in Bulk
I realize that buying in bulk can be costly, but one of the tricks people use when showing others how to save money on groceries is buying what’s on sale now, and stocking up. It’s counter-intuitive because logic tells you to only buy what you need, but if you get in the habit of buying lots of what’s on sale, then your average bill will slowly decrease until you’re paying less than ever.

Not Shopping Hungry

I realize this isn’t a trick, but it’s important that you show up to the grocery with a full belly so that you don’t get suckered into buying things that you don’t need. When you’re full, you move fast and avoid distraction. When you’re hungry, even the boxes look good.

Use a List

When you go grocery shopping without a list, you end up walking through the store and waiting for something to stick out and say “buy me.” The problem with that is that like shopping hungry, you get sucked into endcaps and displays that trick you into spending more than you want to. This is why they put the milk in the back!

Buy Store Brands

Many store brands are just as good as the original, and if you really want to know how to save money on groceries than you can start here and save as much as 50% right off the bat.

The trick to saving money on groceries is in buying smart, and paying attention to store patterns. If you learn how to master the coupon, bulk, and store brand game, then you’ll win every time.